Formula 1: Way-too-early 2019 lineup projection

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer leads Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS18 on track during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer leads Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Renault Sport Formula One Team RS18 on track during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 25: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 25: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen is one of the two drivers who already have contracts through the 2019 season. In fact, he is set to stay with Red Bull Racing through the 2020 season after signing a contract to do so toward the end of the 2017 season. The 2019 season is set to be his fourth season overall as a driver for the team and third season as a full-time driver for the team, as he swapped positions with Daniil Kvyat in the 2016 season after opening up the season driving for Toro Rosso.

Daniel Ricciardo will like leave Red Bull Racing for either Ferrari or Mercedes, which opens the door for Carlos Sainz Jr. to make the move to Red Bull Racing. Sainz Jr. previously drove for Toro Rosso, the Red Bull Racing junior team, before being loaned out to Renault Sport at the end of last season. If he doesn’t end up landing the ride with Red Bull Racing in the 2019 season, it would be surprising since that would put his future within the Red Bull Racing organization in doubt when he has shown that he can compete for solid results even when not driving for a top-tier team.

NOTE: Red Bull Racing have a reasonable chance to switch from Renault engines to Honda engines in the 2019 season.